Redding upbeat but beaten by Espargaro

Scott Redding finished fourth in Sunday’s Moto2™ Aragón Grand Prix, picking up nine positions from 13th on the grid. Ultimately, the Englishman would lose out to title rival Pol Espargaro following an energetic, fairing-to-fairing battle.

The pair came close to contact on a number of occasions at MotorLand Aragón, not least when Redding attempted a daring move up the inside of the final corner. As the chequered flag flew, Espargaro would be in front by just two tenths of a second.

“I am still happy,” Redding commented after the Grand Prix. “I only lost the race on the straight, it was the same as always. We have been struggling all weekend. For race day, I put my head together and we were strong, but when I didn’t have someone in front of me I lost so much; this gave Pol the advantage, then I fought back, but then next time on the straight it was the same thing.”

The Englishman further stressed that he was losing out on the straights, with next circuit Sepang in Malaysia including two significantly long such sections:

“I was trying to race with a disadvantage again, but I am happy to be fourth – also for the points because we started far down on the grid and to be fighting at the front, like we should be...I’m really happy with that. I had a great battle with Pol, which was also good fun apart from it being a bit hard of him to cut in front on the straight, but overall it was a good Sunday.”

With four rounds remaining in 2013, Redding (Marc VDS Racing Team) continues to lead Espargaro (Tuenti HP 40) although the advantage has decreased to 20 points.